CVE-2014-4050 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted web site, aka "Internet Explorer Memory Corruption Vulnerability," a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-2796, CVE-2014-2808, CVE-2014-2825, CVE-2014-4055, and CVE-2014-4067.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 10 and 11 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations when processing specially crafted web pages, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory regions. Such memory corruption issues typically arise from insufficient bounds checking or improper memory management during object manipulation, allowing adversaries to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates entirely within the browser environment without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime target for drive-by attack scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging memory corruption patterns that can be triggered through specific web page elements such as JavaScript objects, DOM manipulation, or memory allocation sequences. Attackers can craft web content that forces the browser to allocate memory in ways that lead to buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory management errors. These conditions can be exploited to redirect execution flow, inject malicious code, or cause the browser to crash entirely. The vulnerability's classification as a memory corruption issue aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tree methodology, where adversaries progress from initial compromise to privilege escalation and ultimately to full system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it bypasses many traditional security controls that operate at network or application boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the user running Internet Explorer, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects users who browse the internet with Internet Explorer 10 or 11, making it particularly impactful in enterprise environments where these older browser versions may still be in use. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that exploitation can lead to system instability, crashes, or more sophisticated attacks that persist across system reboots. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious advertisements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment, browser version updates, and network-based protections. Microsoft released security updates that addressed this specific memory corruption flaw through improved memory management routines and enhanced input validation. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected Internet Explorer installations to prevent exploitation. Browser isolation techniques and security software that can detect and block malicious web content provide additional defense layers. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious domains. The vulnerability's characteristics align with common attack patterns in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically related to privilege escalation and execution through browser-based attacks. Security teams should also implement monitoring for suspicious browser behavior and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and user awareness training help reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering vectors that might accompany such attacks.